Percentage feeder



Feb. 16,1926. 1,5?3350 A. D. M LELLAN PERCENTAGE FEEDER Filed Jan. 12,1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 16, 1926.

UNJTED '5 1,573,356 PA ENT OFFICE.

Aivens =13. iv'rac'nnmmn, or ougnnsnono xniv'rnomr, nssrenon' 'roMAcnELLaN MIXER COMPANY, or ownnsiaqno, KENTUCKY, A-QORPORATIQNOF"KENTUGKY.

PERCENTAGE FEEDER.

Application filed January Too. 7.0720372 it may concern:

I Be it known that I. ANGUs D. MAOLEL- LAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Gwensbormin the county of Daviess and State ofKentucky, have invented new and useful improvements in Percentage Feede'i's, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates"to feeders and more especially to improvements in percentage feedersadapted for use in measuring all kinds of feeds, sand, gravel, cementand other abrasive and refractory substances.

Aprilnary object of the "invention is .to provide asimple, inexpensiveand accurately measuring precentage feeder with means associated withthe peripheralpockets of the to cause the material delivered to thecasing to gravitate therethrough.

Another object of the'invention is to pro vide means for automaticallyoperating),- a haminer so 'that the latter will strike ,the innerperiphery of the measuring wheel at predetermined points in its path oftravel and thus prevent material from adhering to the pockets of thewheel.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the feeder with the cover removed.

FigureQ isa sectional view taken substantially along the lines 22 ofFigure 1 with the cover attached to the feeder.

'Fig 'ure 3 is a detail sectional view of the invention.-

Figure l is a perspecth'e view or modified form of the invention.v

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts inthe several views, 10 denotes 'a feeder casing preferably of integralconstruction and of any suitable size or shape, which is secured to theinclined sides 11 of the supports 12 by the bolts 13. The inclinedbottonror base 10 of the casing 10 has extending th'ereth'ro'ugh a driveshaft 13', that has connected to its lower end-a bevel gear-14E, in meshwith a pinion 15 keyed to the drive shaft 16, which shaft is suitablyjournal-led in the lugs 17, Se e -ito the/sides .151 of the Supports. A

12, 1925. serial-No. 2,046.

measuring wheel 18, having peripheral pockets 19, is locked to the shaft13 in any suitable manner, such as by the set screw 20, and is'arrangedto conduct the material delivered to the casing; through theinlct'opening 21 to the outlet opening 22. Preferably a wheel '23 isalso secured to the shaft 13 by the set screw 2% and has depending fromits outer periphery, a series of tapered lugs 25 which engage a hammer26 pivoted to the bottom of the casing as at 27, so that upon rotationof the measuring wheel 18 and the wheel 23, the hammer will ride up theinclined surface of the lugs 25 and he brought'into striking engagementwith the inner wall of the wheel 18 at predetermined points in the pathof travel of the whe l, thus preventing the material in the pockets: 19from adhering thereto as the wheel approaches the outlet opening 22.

The amount of material deliverel to the casing is regulated by a feedgate 28 which is provided with end flanges 29 arranged to slide incorrespondingly formed recesses 30 formed in the adjacent walls of thecas ing. The feed gate is arranged to be opened by a shaft 31 having apair of pinions 32 which mesh with the complementary racks 33, so thatupon the rotation of the operating wheel 34-, carried by the shaft 81,the end gate may be moved verti ally relative to the bottom of thecasing and thus control the height to which the pockets of the measuringwheel are to he filled. In order to maintain the end gate in anypredctermined adjusted position. means are provided for locking thewheel 371: in position, which consists in a clamping plate which ongages the periphery of the wheel 34, and is removably secured thereto bythe wheel 36 carried by the side of the casing.

An automatic scraper 37 engages the periphery of the measuring wheel 18so as to smooth off the surface thereof, and is pivoted to the casing bya pin 38 adjacent the inlet opening 21. The scraper 37 has a lever arm39 connected to a spring- -1l0 sccurcd to the casing by the bolt 41, soas to yieldably maintain the scraper in contact with the measuringwheel. In order to prc vent material from leaking" or passing around thescraper when the measuring wheel 18 is in motion or at rest, and toinsure, an equal and uniform supply of materialbeing carried by each ofthe Pockets,

a movable member 42 in the form of a' dribble wiper or wing is hinged tothe scraper as at 43, and engages the pockets 19 of the measuring wheelso as to preclude the possibility of material entering these pocketsafter they have passed the scraper. As will be seen from an inspectionof Figure 3, the measuring wheel 18 is sufliciently spaced from thewalls of the casing 10 as to permit .the material cn'rptying from thepockets as soon as they have passed the movable member 42. Furthermore,the scraper 37 and the movable member l2 are yieldably maintained inposition so that in the event of any hard or unyielding materialentering the feeder it will be able to pass therethrough without injuryto any of the parts.

In order to prevent the material clogging in the inlet opening 21 aagitator 43 is mounted in the bottom of the casing so as to loosen andcommingle the material before it is conducted to the measuring wheel 18.This agitator is reciprocated by means of an arm ist, which iseccentrically connected to a shaft 45 by a link 46, which shaft is inturn arranged to be driven by the drive shaft 16 in any suitable mannersuch as by the chain 47 connected to the sprocket wheels 48 and 49,carried by the shaft 16 and the shaft 4L5, respectively.

The wheel 1.8 is enclosed within the casing 10 by a suitable cover-50 soas to be readily removable therefrom; for the purpose of substituting awheel having peripheral pockets of larger or smaller size, dependingupon the particular kind of material to be measured' Obviously, the lugs25, instead of being carried by the wheel 23, may be directly secured tothe measuring wheel. lrlo-wever, in order that the-cost of the measuringwheels may be kept at a minimum and also to facilitate the removal ofthe wheel from the casing when it is desired to substitute another wheeltherefor, thelugs are preferably carried by an independent member suchas the wheel 23.

The drive shaft 13 which carries the measuring wheel '18, extendsthrough the bottom of the casing at substantially right angles theretoso that the wheel 18 will be inclined substantially parallel with thebot tom of the casing and thus cause the material to pass freely fromthe inlet 21 to the outlet Likewise, the peripheral pockets 19 arearranged at substantially right angles to the bottom of the casing, andthe ends of these pockets are opened so that the lower ends adjacent theinlet 21 are closed by the bottom of the casing, while the upper endsare suiliciently spaced from the top of the cover to permit the air toescape when the pockets are being filled, and pass over to the cups thatare emptying, thus preventing any air pressure or vacuum causing a bl ngll llt 'lll bihfii Pre e a ly, h

lower portion of the bottom 10 slopes downwardly, as at'll, so that thebottom recedes from the wheel to facilitate the de livery of thematerial from the pockets to the outlet 22.

The casing 10 and the 'measuring wheel 18 are preferably inclined at anangle of between forty and fifty degrees to the horizontal or base ofthe supports 12 so that the material as it is delivered to the casingwill have a tendency to flow freely thercthrough. For all practicalpurposes, this angle has been found to cause an efiicient operation ofthe machine when positioned at substantially forty-five degrees to thehorizontal.

The shaft 16, to which'the measuring wheel is connected, is driven by apulley 51 carried by a clutch sleeve 52 arranged to be operativelyconnected to the shaft by the lever 53.

It will be seen that by reason of the present construction a very simpleand efficient feeder is provided which comprises few moving parts, andcan be readily dismantled for the purpose of inspection or replacing ofthe parts. Additionally, the possibility of the material clogging in,the casing or the pockets of the measuring wheel is precluded, due totheswinging hammer 26 and the reciprocating agitatoril. In the modifiedform of the invention illustrated in Figure l, the feeder issubstantially the same as that previously described with the exceptionthat the casing or housing 54 comprises separate sections which aresecured'to a base plate or bottom 55 by any suitable means such as thebolts 56. The plate 55 is connected to the inclined sides 57 of thesupports 58 by the bolts 5.). The end gate 60 in addition to beingoperated by the pinions 61 carried by the shaft 62, is also providedwith a scale 63 so as to indicate the distance the end gate is raisedfrom the bottom of the casing upon the actuation of the operating wheel64. A clamp 5 carried by a screw (36 threaded to one side of the casingengages the wheel 6i so as to maintain the end gate in any predctcrminedposition relative to the bottom of the casing. The measuring wheel (notshown) is operated within the casing by a pulley 6T operativelyconnected to the drive shaft 68 by a lever 69. A removable cover 70permits access to the interior of the casing. The material is conductedto the measuring wheelthrough the inlet opening 71 where it is measuredand delivered to the outlet opening in substantially the same manner asthat previously set forth.

It is'to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shownand described are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments of thesame, and that such changesas fall'within the purview of one skilled inthe H art may be made without departingfrom,

nsreeeo the spirit" oft-heinvention and the scope of outlet openingsganinclined drive shaft extending through thebottom of the casing, aWheelkeyed to said shaft and having :peripheral pockets inounted'in saidcasing. a scraper connected to said casing adjacentthe inlet opening,anda movablemember connected to said scraper and engaging said wheel forpreventing material from passing around said scraper.

3; In a feeder of :the class described, the

' combination Off a casing having .in'letand 7 outlet openings, aninclined drive shaft extending through the bottom of thecasing, a wheeleved'to'said sha tt and having); pe-

ripheral..pocketsanoiinted in saidcasing, a

scraper'connected to said casing adjacent the inlet openingfmeanscontacting said wheel for precluding the material from entoning thepocketsafter they have passed the scraper, and means preventing the.1natcria l adhering to the pockets. i

4. In a" feeder of the class described, the combination of a casinghaving inletand outlet openings, a Wheel having peripheralpocketsmonnted in said casing, a scraper pivoted to said casing andcontacting with the periphery of said wheel. and .a member 'rnova blyconnected to said scraper and engaging-said Wheel for preventingmaterial from passing around the scraper. 1

In a feeder of the class described, the combination of a casing havinginlet and outlet openings and an inclined base arranged at substantiallyan angle of t5 to the horizontal, a Wheel journa lled in said casing-andhaving peripheral inclined pockc ts positionedat snbstantiallv rightangles :to sa idinclined base, and means for supply- :ing anv equalamount of material to each of the pockets and preventing the materialfrom entering the pockets after they have passed the inlet opening.

i 6. In a feeder of the class described, the combinationeta casinghating an inclined bottomand inlet and outlet openingsm \vhecl having:inclined peripheral pocket-s journ'alled in said casing, and arranged atsubstantially right angles ito said inclined bottom, and-meanstorwsnpplying an equal au'ion-ntyof materialtoleacl1of the pockets nd rc eatingt wa .Et'he pockets alter theylnnc-passed the inlet. opening.

: 'T.- In a iteedcr 0f ithc class described, (the con'ibination ot' acasing haring an inclined bottom, and :inlethand outlet openings, :1 WllQGldlZLVlDQ' inclined peripheral pockets journalled iin=said casing,and arranged at substantially.right angles to iStlld inclined bottom, ascraper movably connected to the casing adjacent the inlet opening andcontacting with said viheeL-and means for prcventing material escapingthrough the casing between the scraper and the avheel.

'8. In a feeder of the class described. the combination *of a casinghaving an inclined bottom, and .inle .and outlet openings, a Wheelhaving inclined zperiphcral pockets journalled :in said casing, andarranged .at substantially right angles to said inclined bottom, ascraper irovably connected to the casing adjacent the inlet opening: andcontactinp; Withsaid *WllOQl, means for preventing material escapingthrough the casing: between the scraper and the Wheel, and means forforcing; the material from the pockets as they approach the outletopening. i9. [11 a feeder of the class described, the combination of acasinghaving an inclined bottom and inlet and outlet openings, a shaftextending into the interior of the easing, a Wheel having: inclined;periPhe'al pockets secured to said shaft, and arranged at substantiallyrightangles to said inclined bottom, means for rotating; said shalt, ascraper pivoted to the casing: adjacent the inlet opening and contactingwith said Wheel and a movable member connected to said scraperforpreventingmaterial from passing around the scraper.

10. In a feeder of the classdescribed, the combination of a casinghaving an inclined bot om and inlet and outlet openings, :1 Wheel havinginclined peripheral pockets .journallec'l in said casing, and arrangedat substantially right angles to said inclined bottom, ascraper pivotedto said casing ad- :jacentthe inlet opening andcontacting with theperiphery ofsaid wheel, a movable member connected to said casing forpreventing material from passing around the scraper, means yieldabhvmaintaining said movable member in position, and means agitation thematerial delivered to the casing.

ll. In a feeder of the class described, the combination ot a casingbaring an inclined bottom and inlet and outlet 'OPQHlJH a shaftextendinp through the bottom oi said casing, a Wheel having peripheralpockets keyed to said shaft, means for rotating said wheel, a. scraperadjacent said inlet opening. and a movable member pivoted to saidscraper .for preventing material from pass ingaroundthesame.

1-2.. Ina fieeder of the class describeththe ,colnlai ationpt a casinghaving an inclined bottom and inlet and outlet openings, a shaftextending through the bottom of said casing at substantially rightangles thereto, a wheel having peripheral pockets keyed to said shaft,means for rotating said Wheel, a

scraperadjacent said inlet opening, and a movable member pivoted to saidscraper for preventing material from passing around the same. 7

13. Ina feeder of the class described, the combination of a casinghaving an inclined bottom and inlet and outlet openings, a shaftextending through the bottom of said casing, a Wheel having peripheralpockets locked to said shaft, said pockets being positioned atsubstantially right angles to the inclined bottom, means for'rotatingsaid Wheel, a scraper adjacent said inlet opening, a movable memberpivoted to said scraper for preventing material from passing around thesame, and an agitator in said casing for loosening the materialdelivered thereto.

14. In a feeder of the class described, the combination ofa casinghaving an inclined bottom and inlet and outlet openings, a shaftextending through the bottom of the casing at substantially right anglesthereto, a Wheel having peripheral pockets keyed to said shaft, ascraper connected to said casing adjacent said inlet opening, a memberpivoted to said scraper for preventing material entering the pocketsafter they have passed the scraper, and means adapted to engage saidWheel for forcing the material from the pockets as they approach the outlet openin 15.- In a feeder of the class described, the combination of acasing having an inclined bottom and inlet and outlet openings, arotatable shaft extending through the bottom of the casing atsubstantially right angles thereto, a Wheel locked to said shaft-havingspaced apart tapered lugs on its inner periphery, a hammer pivoted tothe casing, a measuring Wheel having peripheral pockets rotatable Withsaid shaft, means for rotating said Wheels and bringing said hammer intoengagement With said lugs on the inner Wall of the measuring Wheel,means for controlling the delivery of the material to said casing, ascraper hinged to the casing, and a member pivoted to said scraper forpreventing material entering the pockets after they jha-ve'passed thescraper.

16. In a feeder of the class described, the combination of a casinghavingan mchned bottom and inlet and outlet openings, a rotatableshaft'extending through the bottom of the casing a-t-substantially rightangles thereto, a Wheel locked'to said shaft having spaced aparttapered'lugs on its inner periphery, a hammer pivoted to'the easing, ameasuring Wheel having peripheral pockets rotatable with said shaft,means for rotating said Wheels aaid'hringing said hammer intoalternative engagement with said lugs and the inner wall of themeasuring Wheel, means for controlling the delivery of the material tosaid casing, a scraper hinged to the casing, a member pivoted to saidcasing, means yield-ably maintaining said scraper in position, and meansfor agitating the material as it enters the casing.

17. A feeder of the class described having in combination a pair ofspaced supports comprising horizontal bases and inclined parallel sides,a casing having inlet and outlet openings secured to said inclinedsides, a measuring Wheel journalled in said casing having peripheralpockets, a scraper adjacent the inlet opening, and means preventingmaterial entering the pockets after they have passed the scraper.

18; A feeder of the class described having in combination a pair ofspaced supports comprising horizontal bases and inclined parallel sides,a casing having inlet and outlet openings secured to said inclinedsides, a measuring Wheel journalled in said casing havingperipherallpockets, a scraper adjacent the inlet opening, meanspreventing material entering the pockets after they have passed thescraper, and movable means within the casing adapted to engage the innerperiphery of said measuring wheel for preventing the material adheringto the pockets. 7

19. A feeder of the class described having in combination a pair ofspacedsupports comprising horizontal bases and inclined parallel sides,a casing having inlet and outlet openings secured to said inclined sidesat substantially an angle of forty-five degrees to the horizontal, ameasuring Wheel journa-lled in said casing having peripheral pockets, ascraper adjacent the inlet opening, means preventing material enteringthe pockets'after they have passed the scraper, and movable meanswithinthe casing adapted to engage the inner periphery of said measuringWheel for preventing the material adhering to the pockets.

20. A feeder of the class described having in combination a pair ofspaced supports, comprising horizontal bases and inclined parallelsides, a casing having inlet and outlet openings securedto said inclinedsides, a shaft extending through the bottom of said casing atsubstantially right angles thereto, a measuring Wheel locked to saidshaft, and having peripheral pockets, means for rotating said Wheel, ascraper pivoted to said casing adjacent the inlet opening, a movablemember hinged to said casing for preventing material entering thepockets after they have passed the scraper, reciprocating means foragitating the material delivered to said Wheel, a hammer'pivoted tothebottom of. the casing, and means causriphery of the wheel atpredetern'iined points in its path of travel.

21. In a feeder of the class described, the

combination OLE acasing having inlet and outlet openings and an inclinedbase, a wheel having peripheral pockets positioned at substantiallyright angles to said inclined base, said pockets having their ends open,the lower ends of the pockets being closed by the base and the upperends of the pockets being open to permit the escape of air as they arebeing tilled with material, a retaining scraper contacting with theperiphery of said wheel, and means for preventing free flowing materialfrom passing around said scraper.

In a feeder of the class described,

the combination of a casing having inlet to permit the escape of air asthey are being filled with material, aretaining scraper contacting withthe periphery of said wheel, and means "for preventing free flowingmaterial from passing around said scraper.

23. In a feeder of the class described, the combination of a casinghaving inlet and outlet openings and an inclined base arranged atsubstantially an angle of 45 to the horizontal, a wheel havingperiphet'al pockets positioned at substantially right angles to saidinclined base, said pockets having their ends open, the lower ends ofthe pockets being closed by the base and the upper ends of the pocketsbeing open to permit the escape of air as they are being filled withmaterial, a retaining scraper contacting with the periphery of saidWheel, means for preventing free flowing material from passing aroundsaid scraper, a gate in said inlet adjacent said pockets, and means foradjusting said gate when the wheel is in motion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

i LIACIJEIJILAN.

